Meet the Writers of Sisterhood Redefined

You've been reading their posts for two months now! It's time to meet the faces behind the names! 

Here are Sisterhood Redefined's official new writers:

Alexis Rae

Alexis is member of Alpha Sigma Alpha - Theta Beta Chapter at Roanoke College. She graduated in May 2014 with a degree in English and is currently working and saving money so that she can apply to graduate school in the next few years. During her active years with her sisterhood she served as Social Chairwoman as well as being a member of various committees such as: ritual, scholarship, and bi-law committees. The thing she loved most about her sisterhood and still loves to this day is that they are a chapter that is made up of very different women with different interests, majors, and skills. However, you could always tell when we they together as a group that they combined to make the perfect mixture of sisterhood. She still lives in the area and continues to support her chapter and sorority in a alumnae capacity. 

Amanda Gerow

Amanda is a sister of Alpha Gamma Delta at the University of West Florida. She is a junior Journalism major with a minor in Political Science. One day she hopes to write something cool enough to be featured on the side of a Chipotle cup. When she is not working, doing something with Alpha Gam, or in class you can find her walking her dachshund somewhere in downtown Pensacola or pouring glitter onto a new craft (she paints a pretty rad cooler). She thinks Diet Coke is a necessity and tells herself everyday that if people loved each other the way she loves pizza the world would be a better place. 

Brittany Yopp

Nikki is a Sophomore at the University of North Carolina at Greensboro where she pursues a degree in English while working on prerequisites for Physical Therapy. She hopes to join the military one day to serve our wounded soldiers and help them perform daily tasks through physical therapy. Nikki loves working with animals and hopes to be able to foster puppies in the next few years! She is a sister of Sigma Sigma Sigma. Her favorite aspect of being a sorority woman is recruitment because she loves knowing that women are finding their home in Greek Life! Whenever Nikki has free time she's usually practicing yoga or reading a good book to escape from everyday stresses.

Cara Castillo

Cara is a senior at the University of Michigan-Dearborn where she is a member of Phi Mu Fraternity. Having recently finished her term as Vice President, she spends her newly-found free time working toward publishing her first novel and writing her history senior thesis. A fan of music festivals, Qdoba, and all things Lilly Pulitzer, one of her favorite parts of Greek Life is dancing with her sisters in the Mock Rock competition at the end of Greek Week (five-peat champs!). Cara is also known to be the mushiest, most sentimental member of her chapter, earning herself the nickname "Cry Phi". And yes, she sobbed at the end of "Tangled". 

Christina Daraphon

Christina is a 20 year old living in Southern California. She is a third year English major at University of California, Riverside and a proud member of Pi Beta Phi. She spends her time staying involved with Habitat for Humanity and Alpha Lambda Delta Honors Fraternity. In her free time she enjoys reading, netflix, chocolate, make up, and doing anything with her three littles. She has been to concerts every year for five years! Fun fact: She touched the lead singers of Bastille's hand and arm and it was magical. After college, she hopes to work for a publishing company and end up as an editor.

Kendall Reynolds

Kendall is a sophomore at California State University Chico studying Public Relations Journalism with an emphasis in Gender and Sexuality Studies. She keeps herself busy by representing her beautiful sisters in Alpha Gamma Delta on the Panhellenic Council as the VP of Community Service and Philanthropy. Be warned, she will clog your feed with hashtags and shared links bandwagoning every societal issue. Real Housewife memes tend to explain her emotions best while texting. She is a strong believer in the accuracy of buzzfeed in relation to her life and her following to follower ratios on social media. So make sure to follower her on Instagram (thats_so_kendall) then her Pinterest and Twitter (kendall_rose_).

Lauren Tank

Lauren is a recent graduate of University of Minnesota-Twin Cities where she studied Advertising in the School of Journalism and Mass Communication. She is a devoted member of Delta Chapter of Alpha Gamma Delta, where she has served as Technology Coordinator. She currently resides in the Great Kingdom of Cheese, a.k.a. Milwaukee, Wisconsin. (PACKER FANS REPRESENT) In her spare time, she enjoys graphic design, playing with cats, and going on whirlwind adventures with her ragtag team of diabolical accomplices. FUN FACTS: Lauren once wrote a stage play that was performed by real actors, she has rappelled upside-down off the top of a tall tower, and she can speak Spanish with a Russian accent. Writing is one of Lauren’s greatest talents and hobbies, so she is excited to share her love of sorority life with Panhel sisters across the globe. She hopes to help foster a spirit of sisterhood across all Panhellenic sororities and promote Greek life among non-members to encourage recruitment. To see more of her work, please visit www.laurentank.com. 

Of course we can't forget our previous writers: 

Beth Jenkins // Co-Founder

Beth is a sophomore at Georgia Southern University. She spends her time split between the biology and psychology departments as she pursues her undergrad degree in both subjects. She spends her free time working and volunteering with children with special needs. She has learned the importance of philanthropy through her sorority, Alpha Gamma Delta, in which she now holds alumnae status. When Beth has free time she likes to practice yoga or work on jewelry projects for her business A Southern Memory. You can often find her wandering aimlessly through the rows of Hobby Lobby or scouring Pinterest (@wanderinforever) searching for project ideas.

Laurencia Porter

Laurencia is a dedicated member of Alpha Sigma Tau at Radford University in Virginia. She has an eye for fashion and loves to create fun outfits. Laurencia loves to hang out with her big and her sisters in her free time. 

Melissa Marlin 

Melissa a senior at the University of Puget Sound in Tacoma, WA. But more importantly she is a member of the Delta Iota Chapter of Kappa Alpha Theta! When she isn't watching Dance Moms with her sisters in the living room or going on Michael's binges during Big Appreciation Week, you can find her on the water with her rowing team. Between sorority life, rowing, and studying for her math and economics double major it's a wonder she gets any sleep...and most of the time she doesn't get nearly enough. She is so excited to be a part of Sisterhood Redefined, even if it will cut into her precious sleep time.

Sonia Wade // Co-Founder

Sonia is a junior at Georgia Southern University where she studies Marketing, Economics and Spanish. She is a social media junkie so follow her on Twitter and Pinterest (@soniawade623) for constant entertainment. Sonia woks hard to do a little bit of everything in her sorority, Delta Phi Epsilon so is always a little busy and really uses music as her outlet - her tastes are quite eccentric though.   If you don't see her with paint on her legs (she loves painting coolers) or coffee in her hands (she's surpassed the Starbucks Gold Membership and has a Starbucks black card), alert the media! 

Rekindling the Spark for Your Sisterhood

I fell in love on September 9th, 2012. It wasn’t with some silly boy, but instead with a purpose and a group of individuals that would carry me so much further than I ever thought possible.

          

None of us knew it would be like this. The racing of the heart, the constant smiling, and the warmth that starts at your toes and spreads through your entire body. We didn’t know that love would come so quickly and hit so hard, even for those of us who often keep our guard up. However, when we opened our letters and ran to that group of screaming sisters, we knew deep down that this love would be different and life changing.

           This past semester, I’ve said more than once how much I wish I were a new member in my organization again. Being a “baby squirrel”, as we call it in my chapter of Alpha Gamma Delta, was one of the best times in my life.

           As a new member, it was so easy to love everything. It was all so new and I went to everything. I met all of these interesting and full of life people that were both in my own organization and out of it. I wore my little puffy painted letters with pride, and once I was initiated, I took every chance I could to wear stitched letters and our crest. It was heaven. The early morning events and late night social events were my happy place. Nothing really mattered outside of my sisterhood anymore.

           However, by sophomore year I was a full time student, working two jobs, a member of Executive Council, and balancing multiple types of relationships. I was burning the candle at both ends, and eventually it all caught up to me.

It happens. So, if you are reading this and thinking “Oh no. What am I doing? I’m so tired and so busy and I just really want to take a nap but also I need a snack, etc.,” don’t panic. You’re going to make it. It’s easy to get burnt out, even on sisterhood. Anyone who tells you that’s not true is either the world’s best college student/sorority girl or a really gifted storyteller.

So, before you start to crawl into a hole and avoid the world completely, take a deep breath. This too shall pass. Take a step back from everything. This is just another moment. What you need to ask yourself isn’t what it is that is important to you, but why is it important?

My sisterhood supports me. My sisters are my people. They are the living reminder of my purpose. They are my 12 AM Taco Bell dates and my voices of reason, but that doesn’t mean that it’s always easy to remember.

Remember that with even great love can come some pain. It’s not easy balancing relationships with 100 or so girls, your family, and other friends. It’s not easy trying to always be a leader for a group of people when you don’t even know what you’re doing with your own life. It’s not easy accepting the outcome of some events. And it’s not easy learning how to be the bigger person and accept what you are dealt in life.

However, that’s what makes it special. If your spark is dwindling, remind yourself that you didn’t join your sisterhood for the cute merchandise and photo ops. You joined for the moments. The moments where you spent 30+ hours crafting for Lip Sync and Bid Day and at the end you all just end up in a pile of tutus laughing and crying. The moments where you text a sister you may not be the closest to just because you know they need some support. These are those moments that start a new fire.

Don’t let the stress of doing everything at once blow out your flame. Let it kindle it.

So if you’re struggling and if you’re wondering where that new member type of love you once had went, know that it’s not gone. It’s just bigger than you thought. Focus on the times that are going to pull you out of a slump.

You can’t rekindle a love by walking away. What you can do is take a step back, take a deep breath, and remind yourself of those moments that make it all worth it.

What They Don't Tell You About Going Rho Gam

When I received my bid in the Fall of 2012, all the other girls were dreaming of someday becoming President of their chapters, but all I wanted was to be a Rho Gamma someday. The amazing Panhellenic women who had guided me and thirty-two other new members to our forever Greek homes had inspired me to someday make that same difference in other girls’ lives. When I finally received a chance to be a recruitment counselor this past summer, I was beyond thrilled that my first and foremost dream of my Greek Life experience was coming true.

I knew it was going to be difficult - not only keeping distance from my sisters during the summer and recruitment season, but also the added commitment of recruitment events, and the responsibility of holding the new PNMs’ trust in my keeping. But in the end, being a Rho Gam turned out to be so much more than I had ever imagined, in every way possible.

1. It isn’t a break from your sorority.

In fact, it’s almost the opposite of that. Although you’ll still be expected to help carry out operations of your own chapter (especially if you hold a leadership position, for which summer is probably the busiest season for planning) you will also have the added responsibility for helping plan, organize, and pull off Panhellenic-wide recruitment events, as well as contacting lists upon lists of girls, convincing them of why they should join Greek Life. Applying to be a Rho Gamma isn’t a free pass for a relaxing summer - in fact, taking on the role is more like being a part of two sororities.

2. You will deserve an Oscar for your performance.

You’ve put your letters into storage, you’ve set your Instagram and Facebook to private, and you’ve duct-taped over the decal on your car. But nothing quite prepares you for the infamous guessing games that all PNMs love to play during recruitment. It’s definitely fun to hear what chapter they think you’re a part of (even if it’s based on silly things like your hair color or how you dress), but giving an appropriate reaction to their guesses only gets easier with time. By the end of recruitment, I was shocked by just how easily some of my Rho Gamma sisters could lie about their affiliations and could only applaud them for their performances - especially when I saw the shock on the PNMs’ faces when they would reveal their affiliations on Bid Day.

3. Your small-talk skills will be polished by the end of the season.

If you thought being a guide in the recruitment room was tough, try keeping 70+ nervous girls (at least in the case of my commuter college’s small-scale Greek system)  comfortable and informed while they wait for their rounds! Luckily, probably the best thing to make them feel more at home during recruitment is by doing what all sorority women love to do - talk! I will probably always remember bonding with one of my lovely PNMs simply over how much we had loved reading The Giver as kids and promising we’d go see the movie together when recruitment was over. It was little moments like these that made it seem as if these beautiful young women were already a part of our Panhellenic family and kept the girls relaxed and ready to mingle during the rounds.

4. You will fall in love with your PNMs, no matter what sorority you suspect they’ll be perfect in.

There will be so many special moments during your Rho Gamma experience: when you see a shy, nervous Freshman gain confidence after accepting her bid; when a PNM paints her toenails a sorority’s colors for good luck; when the first young woman who receives her bid cries of happiness and you two share the warmest hug you could ever have imagined. These little moments, despite what chapter each girl receives bids to, are what will remain engraved in your memory long after Bid Day.

5. You will gain a ridiculous amount of respect and love for the other chapters on your campus.

Of course you’ve spent the past three years alongside these girls - maybe you even went through recruitment with them - but after quizzing yourself on their sorority’s philanthropy, events, programs, colors, and traditions, you begin to feel an overwhelming amount of pride and love for the other chapters on campus. And after spending so much time with your Rho Gamma sisters, it’s hard not to love chapters they belong to! The joy you feel when they rejoice over their amazing new members is indescribable. After you’re a Rho Gamma, competition doesn’t make sense anymore - you suddenly want the best for every chapter.

6. Your Rho Gamma sisters will become your soul mates.

ROFL-worthy group chats, sushi dates, Party City shopping sprees, endless nights of post-recruitment event studying, and emotional tell-alls in your cars - this experience with these women will change you for life. When you join a sorority, you have 50+ (or in many cases, over 100) sisters to help you navigate life. But as a Rho Gam, you and your other recruitment counselors will rely on each other for everything - emotional support, sisterhood, and good times. Although you each come from different chapters and it might be a little awkward at first, by recruitment week you’ll all be laughing and chatting as if you were pledge sisters, leading to a lot of confusion for the curious PNMs! These women become your sisters, and it’s not easy to leave them on Bid Day.

My group of Rho Gammas was so in love with each other that we planned out an extravagant dance for Rho Gam reveal to the NSYNC song “I Want You Back” as well as “Coming Home”. Although it didn’t exactly go as planned (we ended up singing the music - very Mean Girl’s “Jingle Bell Rock”), we were still each sobbing by the time we finally revealed our letters.

7. The other Rho Gammas from your chapter will have a special hold on your heart.

They are your ties to your chapter, simple as that. Even after you re-associate with your chapter, you will constantly find yourself gravitating toward them because, very simply, they were whom you leaned on for five months. They understand each and every struggle of being a Rho Gamma, all while retaining that special bond of sisterhood that you have with only your chapter.

8. It may hurt a little bit (okay, a lot).

Keeping unbiased isn’t hard - especially after bonding so much with the Rho Gammas from other chapters. But hearing the subjective and sometimes hurtful comments PNMs make about the chapters can hurt like a stab to the heart, regardless if it’s about your chapter or not. On one hand, it’s great that your PNMs are able to open up to you with such honesty (as they should!), but it’s never fun to hear one of your beloved chapters described as “boring”, “flaky”, or “fake”. And having a comfortable, close relationship with your PNMs can be stressful, too. Your perfect PNM may have already had her “Say Yes to the Dress” moment, her heart absolutely set on her dream sorority. But when the preference invitations are sent out and she doesn’t receive one from her favorite chapter, the pain of what seems like rejection can be almost as heartbreaking to you as it is to her. But above all, nothing hurts more than seeing a girl drop completely from recruitment because of an invitation or bid she did not get. You’ll still see her on campus all the time, and although you two don’t talk anymore (sometimes because she might feel some sort of embarrassment for not getting the recruitment experience she had envisioned), the sight of her still leaves you with sadness as you contemplate what a wonderful Greek experience she would have had if she had given another chapter a chance.

9. Rho Gamm-ing doesn’t end on Bid Day.

This was something I definitely wasn’t prepared for. As a Rho Gamma, you probably envision the climax of your experience to be running back to your sisters on Bid Day and resuming your normal sorority life. But what you’re not prepared for is the PNM who cries to you about not receiving a bid to the chapter of her dreams. Or the wonderful girl who confides that she had wanted a spot in your chapter and that she would wait a whole year to try again. Or the girl who still texts you asking about recruitment opportunities to her favorite sorority. So many of us take our great recruitment experiences and fairy-tale Bid Days for granted. Your heart will positively ache for those girls who didn’t get that same experience and still long for it. But the most important thing is to keep being there for them - to talk, to let them vent, to help them prepare for next year - so that they do give Greek Life another chance and receive the experience of a lifetime.

10. The bond between Rho Gammas and their PNMs is one of a kind.

They may not become your Little. They may not even become a member of your chapter. But they will always have a special place in your heart, and you in theirs. You were one of their first encounters with Greek Life, the first person they could talk to about their worries, their frustrations, and their overwhelming excitement. You were the person who was just as excited about recruitment as they were. That initial bond is something that will never change and cannot be forgotten.

Being a Rho Gamma is hard. You’ll spend late nights crafting until your fingers bleed. A girl on your email list might not-so-politely tell you she’s not interested. You’ll miss out on fun sorority events, being a part of every cute recruitment picture, and developing a personal “rush crush”. But in the end, the benefits of being a Rho Gam tip the scale dramatically. You’ll find forever friendships with your Rho Gamma sisters. You’ll learn to appreciate your own sisterhood even more. You get to meet dozens upon dozens of bright-eyed Freshman who will be on a sorority-high for the next nine months, just as you were. And it truly does rejuvenate the love of being Greek, of having this experience that you share with all but two of the US Presidents since 1825, countless CEOs, and each of the eleven Apollo astronauts. You’re in good company, and with your help and guidance, your PNMs will be, too!

Look Great Going to Class

It's nearing the end of February which means three things. 1. It's cold. 2. Midterms are nearing. 3. Every day looking nice is becoming harder and harder.

I know I am personally sinking into my leggings and t-shirt uniform and it is time to make a change.

Here are three simple, cute, and easy outfits to look cute and stay comfy this winter.

1. Maxi Skirt and Sweater - for those slightly warm but breezy days a maxi skirt and thin sweater will provide enough warmth. With soft fabrics, this outfit will be super comfy but you will look very pulled together. Add a few statement pieces of jewerly to pull the look together.

2. Over-sized sweater and leggings - This is the epitome of my daily routine. Though I usually opt for over-sized t-shirts, it is simple to throw on a huge sweater and instantly look 10x more chic. Instead of pairing this with a big scarf you could add a long statement necklace to pull the look together.

3. Leggings, boots, and a flannel - It really doesn't get easier than this. Since leggings and boots are an essential in every girls closet you will only need a flannel. I may or may not have stolen a few of my boyfriend's flannels to make this look a reality but you can also find them at many stores. This look is comfortable but also looks like you put a good deal of effort into picking it out.

How do you stay stylish in the winter?

Handling Leadership in Your Soroity

“I didn’t choose my leadership position; it chose me.” That’s how many sisters in my sorority explain their role to me. This goes to show that even if you may not see yourself in a certain position, your sisters may think you’re a perfect fit. Whether you were called to lead by your sisters, or selected for an applied position, leadership is very important within Greek communities.

This semester I was tasked with two chair positions with the potential of a third. I am honored that my President found that I was a good representative of our letters. Though I am terrified of speaking in front of groups of people, I have found the strength to be a good communicator whenever it is my turn to speak.

Here’s three tips that I think will help someone who is struggling to mentally cope with the expectations of a leadership role like I was.

1. Realize who you’re talking to. These are your sisters! Whenever you have to speak in chapter meetings, remember that these are women who you share amazing bonds with. These girls might laugh, but they will never abandon you or really make fun of you.
2. Have a script. I understand that for ritual things writing a script probably isn’t possible. I’m sorry. That stuff you’ll have to work out ways to remember. However, for reports, type them up and print them out! If you have issues improvising, this really helps make sure you look and sound organized.
3. Practice! It may sound stupid to practice reading your sorority reports in front of a mirror or with your best friend in the chapter, but I think that running your report by someone else really helps to make sure that you’re communicating everything that’s necessary.

With these tips it’ll be easy to talk during chapter meetings, but does that really mean you have “handled” your leadership role? No!

In order to really handle this role you need to be available for sisters! As Public Relations chair I’m always open to e-mails or having people stop by my room to ask me about flyers and other things. As a leader, there will be questions coming your way. Accept it now. You should also accept that you might not have all of the answers. That’s okay. Just try your best to be helpful or find the answers necessary!

Finally, the last thing you need to think about, especially if you’re on exec, is the fact that you will be in the know. To properly handle this situation you need to be aware that what is said among exec members stays with the exec board. Going around telling sisters about that one girl who is terminating really is not necessary until it’s announced at a meeting. Because let’s be real, we all know there’s really no such thing as secrets between members. If you tell one girl something, she’s probably going to go tell someone else. It’s just best to not start drama if you’re trying to lead your chapter in your organization’s values.

How do you handle leadership positions within your sorority?

The Friendship of Saint Valentine

            The month of February is notorious for the marketed holiday of Valentine’s Day where sweethearts are given flowers and candy or taken out to a fancy meal to celebrate their love. However, for the sisters of Alpha Sigma Alpha we remember the man behind the lover’s holiday: Saint Valentine. For my organization Saint Valentine is our exemplar for physical growth and friendship. As a sister of Alpha Sigma Alpha I’m proud to explore more of the story and ideals of Saint Valentine and what he means to my sorority.

           

Saint Valentine and Martyrdom

Saint Valentine was born in the 3^rd century AD in Tierni, Italy. During this time it was illegal to practice the Christian faith, and during the time of Saint Valentine’s life many Christians were condemned to die for their beliefs. Valentine became a saint for his helpfulness towards those who believed in Christ, as visited them as they waited in prison for their execution. He faithfully kept them at ease with his friendship and shared belief in God’s grace. In one instance; however, Valentine was able to heal a Roman judges daughter of blindness, which led to the judge to be baptized a Christian and the prisoners in jail at the time to be released.

It wasn’t until 269 AD that he became a martyr for the Christian faith. Valentine was arrested in Rome for marrying Christian couples against the orders of Emperor Claudius II. However, while he was imprisoned Claudius took a liking to Valentine, but he over stepped his bounds when he tried to convert the emperor. As a result he was sentenced to death where he was beaten and clubbed, but then ultimately beheaded. Later, he was named the patron saint of love, young people, and happy marriages.

Saint Valentine and the Ladies of Poise and Purpose

            For Alpha Sigma Alpha, Saint Valentine is the exemplar of physical development and friendship, and he is represented by our gem the ruby. Saint Valentine teaches us that friendship isn’t only a social construct but an actual physical and organic creature. It is both an emotional and physical feat to have friends and to keep a friendship.

            During his life Valentine was a loyal friend of Christ, Christians, and the beliefs that represented both. He steadfastly stood by those who were condemned to die for their faith, and comforted them in their time of need. As sisters, we are taught, by the example of Saint Valentine, to be loyal to our bond of sisterhood, and to support and cultivate friendships between sisters. There is nothing like the bond that forms between a group of women when we take the same oaths and vows just like there is a bond that forms between those who share the same faith. We are to stand by our sisters through their joys and downfalls and to accept them unconditionally for who they are. Saint Valentine also served those who were in need of guidance or help. Alpha Sigma Alpha does this through our three philanthropies: The Special Olympics, S. June Smith Center, and Girls on the Run. We gladly give our time to volunteer and give back to our community because there is a higher calling when serving others. This is how we become pillars of our community.

            Saint Valentine teaches us these lessons of love and friendship:

Giving: “You give but little when you give of your possessions. It is when you give of yourself that you truly give.” – Kahlil Gibron

Faith: There is a story that when Saint Valentine’s friends came to collect his remains after his death. However, instead of finding bones they found a bright red beating heart, which shows that faithful and unselfish love can never perish from the Earth.

Unselfishness: “Love gives only of itself and takes nothing from itself. Love possesses not, nor would it be possessed, for love is sufficient unto love.” – Kahlil Gibron

            I think Saint Valentine has a lot to teach us about friendship and love in general. It is unselfish, unchanging, and faithful. It doesn’t judge and is unconditional. This is the friendship and love we should extend to our sisters. We share a bond with them that we will carry with us no matter where we end up in life, and I know that the bond I share with my sisters of the Theta Beta chapter of Alpha Sigma Alpha will always inspire me to be better, to do better, and to care for everyone that I meet.  

Enjoy Valentine's Day When You're Single

So the day is approaching. The day single ladies hate. Valentine’s Day. Just another Hallmark holiday to remind you how much it sucks being single, right?

WRONG!

It’s a day for you to love yourself unconditionally and remind your best friends and sisters how much you love them! Not sure how to spend the day when everybody else in the world is getting all goo-goo eyed with their Googly Bear? (a la Monsters, Inc.) Try some of these ideas to make your Valentine’s Day the best yet:

TREAT YO’SELF!

1. Get a mani/pedi in funky colors.

2. Get that cool new haircut you’ve been wanting, but been too afraid to have done.

3. Go to the mall and buy yourselves a few cute new outfits (bonus points if you’re a bargain hunter or a thrifter! See what you can get for $25!)

4. Make a nice meal for yourself or have your favorite food delivered.

5. You know those large heart-shaped boxes of chocolate? Go get one. You deserve it.

TAKE YOURSELF ON A DATE

6. Go see a movie by yourself (there is NO shame in that!) or with your sisters. Some movie theatres have tickets for as low as $2. Go on a quest to find your local budget theatre!

7. Visit a museum and ponder the lives of your cultural ancestors.

8. Get the girls together and go out to a fancy restaurant

9. Hit the club (or the bar) and dance your worries away. Maybe flirt with that cute bartender ;-)

10. Cozy up in your favorite chair and get lost in your favorite fantasy world. 

11. Watch some sappy rom-coms with the sisters. Or alone. With your dog. In bed. On Netflix. With a pan of brownies. Because you deserve it.

12. On that note, go for a shameless Netflix binge. You need the break from the real world. One more episode can’t hurt, right?

13. Lose your mind on the internet. Tumblr, Reddit, StumbleUpon

MAKE SOMEONE ELSE’S DAY

14. Crafting! Need I say more? Make presents for people you love.

15. Make homemade valentines and send them to your loved ones. On campus? Give them out to random strangers.

16. Get out there and do some random acts of kindness. Buy lunch for a homeless person and listen to his life story!

17. Tip your baristas when you get your morning caffeine fix. Trust me, they’ll appreciate it.

18. Call your mom. Just do it, okay? Actually, Call your grandma, too. Call family members and tell them you love them. Even your annoying little brother. 

19. Go to the local animal shelter and volunteer or adopt a kitty if you can. Who wouldn’t love an afternoon playing with fluffy furry friends?

LOVE YOURSELF

20. Write a list of 100 reasons you love yourself. Put them on slips of paper in a pretty decorated jar and pull a few out whenever you’re feeling down.

21. Are you religious? Go to a service. That will certainly make you feel all warm and fuzzy inside.

22. Go rock climbing, take a Zumba class, or just go to the gym with your favorite jams on your iPod. Love your body in the best way possible.

23. Try meditating! Challenge yourself to find that inner peace.

24. Remember that no matter what, even if it seems like everyone has a significant other but you, people love you. More people love and cherish you than you can ever know in your lifetime. So cheer up if you’re feeling down!

So now you’ve got a ton of things to do this Valentine’s Day, you feisty single lady, you.

I guess at the end of the day, just remember – it’s not the worst thing in the world not to have a valentine. Some people don’t have mothers on Mothers’ Day and some people don’t have fathers on Father’s day. So be happy! Feel the love.